The First Time Home Buyers' Program reduces or eliminates the amount of property transfer tax you pay when you purchase your first home. To qualify for a full exemption, at the time the property is registered you must:
- be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- have lived in B.C. for 12 consecutive months immediately before the date you register the property or filed at least 2 income tax returns as a B.C. resident in the last 6 years
- have never owned an interest in a principal residence anywhere in the world at any time
- have never received a first time home buyers' exemption or refund
and the property must:
- be located in B.C.
- only be used as your principal residence
- have a fair market value of:
- $425,000 or less if registered on or before February 18, 2014, or
- $475,000 or less if registered on or after February 19, 2014
- be 0.5 hectares (1.24 acres) or smaller